Improved apparatus for the water-propulsion of vessels



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES WATT, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND CORNELIUS M. HORTON, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR THE WATER-PROPULSION 0F VESSELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 38,522, dated May 12, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES WATT, of the city ot Buffalo, county of Erie, and State of New York, assigner to myself and CORNELIUS M. HORTON, of the same place, have invented an Improvement in Boats or Vessels for Screw- Propellers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure I is a horizontal section of the stern end ot' a vessel, showing my improvement as connected therewith. Fig. II is a stern endele vation.

The nature of my invention relates to the application of a wheel case or curb to the stern end of a boat or vessel for the reception of a screw-propeller, with conduits or waterways passing diagonally through from the sides of the vessel and opening into the curb to supply the propeller with water.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like partsiu each of the figures.

A represents a section of the stern end of a small vessel or canal-boat.

B .represents a metallic wheel ease or curb of sufficient depth and diameter to receive a propeller-wheel. It is firmly and substantially attached to the stern ot' the vessel, so that its whole diameter opens into the free water at the stern. Large openings are made through its head, through which the water enters to supply the propeller.

Oonduits or water-ways, as shown at C are made through the sides of the boa-t, which run diagonally and connect with and open into the curb. These conduits must be of suficient capacity to admit as much water as the propeller can move or throw out of the curb.

D represents the propeller, and E the propeller-shaft. Any form of propeller may be used, and steampower may be applied in a common manner. The diameter and width of the propeller equals, or nearly so, the inside diameter and width of the curb, leaving sutcient clearance to allow the propeller to revolve Without friction'on the curb. This curb is a complete protection to the propeller, and prevents it from striking solid substances which float in the water, and when used in canal-boats will prevent the wheel from striking the banks, catching tow-lines, or the like. The curb also allows the propeller to continue its hold upon the water until it is forced out directly astern, and hence the water upon which the propeller acts a'ords a greater resistance to the propeller-blades, and consequently the propeller revolves with greater power.

The improvement is particularly designed for canal-boats and tugs, but is applicable to all classes of steam-vessels.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The application of the curb B and waterways O to the stern of a boat or vessel, in combination with a screw-propeller, for the purposes substantially as described.

JAMES WATT.

Witnesses E. OsBoRNE, E. B. FoRBUsH. 

